MEXICO — Local boaters and canoers will soon have a new boat launch into the Androscoggin River in back of the Mexico Town Office.

Selectmen approved its construction in late August at a cost of $33,500. C.H. Stevenson construction company of Wayne has been working on the project.

Town Manager John Madigan said Tuesday night’s selectmen’s meeting that all work has been completed except for the final paving.

The four bids submitted for the project ranged from Stevensons’ low price to a high of $78,600.

Resident Todd Wardwell said during the boat launch construction that a portion of the snowmobile trail, which crosses the launch, was damaged.

Madigan said the problem will be referred to the town’s engineer, but he expects the repair to be fairly simple.

“We may have to cut a few trees,” Madigan said. “But the fix will be minimal.”

The cost of the launch was paid by the state. Because the bid came in less than the $40,000, money remains for the trail repair.

In other matters, the board approved hiring a new reserve police officer for the Mexico Police Department, bringing the number to three.

Joshua Aylward of Mason Township received the green light to begin working for the local department.

Police Chief Jim Theriault said Aylward is a full-time security officer for a local ski area, has completed the 100-hour training course, and has served as a reserve officer for a brief time for the Rumford Police Department.

Theriault also said that officer Brad Gallant is in his fifth week at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.

The board is also looking for the town’s eldest resident. Longtime holder of the Boston Post Cane, Grace Stanley, recently died at the age of 101.

Town officials are asking residents to notify them of anyone believed to be the town’s oldest resident.

In a variety of maintenance or road work matters, the board:

— Agreed to spend up to $20,000 to repair cracks in the pavement on Leavitt Street.

— Aproved spending $15,370 from the reserve fund to provide proper drainage through the installation of three catch basins for a property on Burton Street.

— Agreed to renew an annual boiler maintenance contract with Specialty Services, Greene, at a cost of $2,995. The board also approved work at the fire station by the company. The job includes buying one oil tank and installing two at a cost of $2,472.

— Accepted a contract with the Maine Department of Transportation for $16,650 to plow snow on two sections of state roads. They are part of Route 17 and a portion of Route 2.

The board agreed to honor its veterans by buying an advertisement in a future issue of “Paper Talks,” which is focusing on honoring Western Maine Veterans. The $354 fee will be taken from the town’s contingency fund. The town will receive 125 copies of the magazine.

Prior to the regular board meeting, selectmen, Madigan, the Recreation Board and recreation director Greg Arsenault met in a 75-minute executive session. No action was taken after the session ended.

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